My father bought a 1973 Lotus Europa John Player Special new, and when I turned 16 in 1982, I learned to drive on it. We lived in rural Connecticut, and the car was never driven in winter or in rain (and in Connecticut that’s most of the year). My father was a mechanic, so he was able to keep the Europa in top shape. In the US you seldom see these cars, you might rarely see a newer Lotus like an Exige or an Elise. Back in the early 80’s I had to take a lot of ridicule for driving such a “tiny toy” of a car, since most guys had muscle cars, or cars with V8’s. I would usually offer a ride to someone that insulted the car, and as the speed grew rapidly, they would shut up. All of them would get out of the car very impressed, and a few of them had asked me to slow down because they had gotten scared. Where I lived in Connecticut was very rural, with lots of long empty roads, and many winding roads as well. The Europa was much faster than you expected it be, and the handling was beyond compare. I had driven it very fast many times, and it was simply glued to the road. It was also a very cheap car to run because it drank fuel like a Honda Civic. The Europa twin cam is one of those cars every serious driver needs to drive, there’s nothing else like it (except maybe an Elan). I’ve driven sports cars that cost more (Ferrari’s, a 1985 Countach, Corvette’s, Porsche 911 & 928 and more) and the Europa is still the car I’d rather own. The only downside to learning how to drive in one was that I didn’t realize that most everything else would be a disappointment to drive. If I had the money I’d start a business making new replica Europa’s, because this is a car that shouldn’t be allowed to just die off. If you take all the best qualities of the original, and add 21st century build quality and reliability, it would make the ultimate sports car.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Mike, I agree. The genius of Chapman. And his race team engineers. I had one aged, maybe 21 - at a stretch - and with a pile of bank loan - and was ruined for life. Nothing that came after was as thoroughbred 😊 it was astonishingly comfortable - once you were in - and the communication between driver and road, exceptional. Every drive was an opportunity to practice your driving. Rare old thing 😊

@yiabwstetienne7474

Жыл бұрын

Fabulous appraisal of a legendary British iconic modernistic Lotus.

@drew699

Жыл бұрын

Great story & never a truer word written. You can keep your supercars because a Lotus simply can’t be bettered.

@trevorsmith7753

10 ай бұрын

Great dad! Mine was an arsehole who drove Renault 8s and All-aggros.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

10 ай бұрын

Interestingly I’ve found it’s modern day spiritual successor - I’ve been loaned an Alfa 4C. This is the closest I’ve come to getting that ‘feeling’ behind the wheel - a very special little car 🥰

I have an S2 Europa from 1969 (Black badge model). I bought it in 1973 and still have it and have kept it completely original. It has had a new chassis and rebuild by Banks and I still think these are amazing cars. Lovely to drive and I know they are like Marmite to many people, but I love Marmite too. They are relatively simple and easy to maintain if you have some engineering knowledge. It has been in professional storage for about 10 years, but I'm going to get it out again while I can.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

a walk - just read this: you have to get it out - hell man, life's too short 🙂👍 x

@awalk5177

Жыл бұрын

@@TheFabulousTrackPack Absolutely, there are only a few left and most have been "modified". I am working through my cars and hope to get this original one out this summer. It only really needs a polish.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

a walk, if you need a test driver … 😊 I’m presenting a Lotus Track Day at Silverstone soon 👌 x

I had a Renault powered one of these in the eighties (same yellow colour). Paul Matty Sports cars rebuilt the engine and made a superb job. I had two Series 4 Sevens at the same time, both with big valve twin cam engines. Although they were quicker than the Europa, the chassis of the Europa out- performed the 7s hands down. No matter what speed one entered a sharp bend the Europa was unfussed, no body roll, no tyre squealing, in fact it was the proverbial "on rails". The 7s used to hop and skip around tight bends. Also, the Renault engine was reasonably smooth, and although the purists favour the Lotus twin cam, I would not discount the Renault. Thank you for the video and happy memories.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Your welcome Chris, glad it brought back some good times 😊 x

Back in the mid 1970s I had a 1972 Europa Twin Cam in yellow exactly the same as the one in this video. Kept it for about 4 years until a growing family dictated that I needed more than two seats. Wonderful car to drive .

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Yes, as I said in the report Tony - no question, the Twin Cam deserves the tag: ‘Supercar’ - it is a very special thing 👌

I had an early twin cam back in the 1970s when I was 21. It lasted 8 weeks before the crown wheel and pinion broke when I was changing a drive shaft. I couldn’t afford for the local Lotus garage to repair it so had to sell it to a trader. I discovered later that it had been an insurance write off TWICE before it was three years old. But what a car when it did go! Always hankered after another but doubt I’m flexible enough to get in these days!

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

I've bought cars from that guy too ... 🤣 I drove this one back from Silverstone the other day, it was fantastic to relive my youth, but I failed to properly master the heating controls, I baked. What this one does better than the one I owned even, is handle. It's on a full trackday set-up, probably too low for the roads really. But ... it makes my MK4 MX5 feel like an RV - which it isn't - but compared to the Europa - it is. My engine builder has a Miura in his shop at present. The Europa is a poor man's Miura really, same basic configuration. And not 1.5 million ...

Owned one exactly like this in 1969 loved the car , miss the drive, wished I still had it. 😢

I had a Europa GPS back in the 1970s. It went like hell and the handling was unbelievable.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

I know what you are saying, but this one has the pure GT layout - the Elan is adorable also, but not the out and out racer ...

The Europa (in all it's forms) is amongst the select few true no compromise sports cars. It's the forbearer of the Lotus Elise. It's always been one of my bucket list cars.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Ironically, Chapman thought that ALL road cars were ‘a bloody anaemic compromise’ - like Ferrari - a true racer. But yes, as a racer myself, that’s always been the fascination. Everyone else goes for the little Elan, but the Europa is more ‘special’ 👊🏻

I remember Chris Meek driving one of these at Cadwell Park in the 70’s, he was my favourite driver when I was a kid.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

10 ай бұрын

He went on to own Mallory Park, where I started my race instructing ‘career’ 👍

My brother owned one , drove me to school in it , cool car , he was in high school and he owned this car , got the girls !

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

My original one had the same effect Ken. My party trick was driving UNDER car park barriers, then driving up to the approach sensor pad, raising the ‘in’ barrier, and letting all my buddies out without paying … 🤣 #youth

It's lovely, I remember these so well.

this was maybe one of the best cars to drive on portuguese roads ,kind of mountain roads but with a lot of surprises, today i wouldn´t fit in it, a true sport car

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

As it happens Rui, Portugal is one of my favourite places on earth. I launched the iPace at Portimao, and lived just outside of Lisboa for six weeks. Loved it. Especially Cascai ... ❤

I always wanted one in the JPS colors; the Black with Gold looked lovely. There used to be one a couple of doors down from me when I lived in Edinburgh.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

I painted the one I owned JPS - after I smashed the front - was only a four speed - but did have ‘Oatmeal’ - such a cool car x

Awesome! :)

Remember me and my brother in law watching his new carnival red twin cam arrive in 1973 in lillishall Shropshire 😁👍

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Didn't build it to save the tax ... ? 😊

Traded a Saab sonnet II for one of these in the mid 70’s. It handled like a slot car. SO much fun to drive, but really hard for my 6’3” frame to get in and out of. My steering wheel was on the other side though lol

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Sold easily William - @ £25k somebody got an incredible car for sensible money

I saw a few of these cars at auto crosses in the 80s. I haven’t seen an El Camino like that since.

The front half is lovely, the back half would take getting use too,I think the elan would be more me

Mine is US version, 2577R with Special stripes and rocker panels. This was from the factory as it was built in Sept 1972; one of the last TC's.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

That's cool Ken - I think here in the UK we have TC's registered as late as '74 - probably '73 production ... 👍

Oops almost drooled on my IPad! Tops my lottery win bucket list. It’s been on that list going on 50 years. I hear they make about 25 mpg at the ton.

I’ll close comments for this video because it’s started to attract the lunatic fringe, but thanks for watching and commenting all that have 😊👍 x

Never seen the car before. To me the design looks crazy. Like a mix of 3-4 different type of cars blended together

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Well … the front bumper off a Ford Anglia - upside down - door handles - Marina … where do I stop … ? 😃

@AlPal162

Жыл бұрын

Jaguar E-Type rear light clusters. Renault gearbox

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

@@AlPal162 Is that where the rear lights came from ... ? Gearbox I obviously knew - I've learned something 😊

@zaphodbeeblebrox5973

Жыл бұрын

@@TheFabulousTrackPack Don't think they are, I have a feeling they were from the Alfa 105 coupe, certainly that's where I got lenses from when I had to fit a new lens to my S4 elan

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

@@zaphodbeeblebrox5973 Amazing creativity back then in repurposing parts from ... anywhere 😀👍

I'm 6'3, no way I can fit in that as much as I would love to have one...

I had a twin-cam in 1982, drove to Le Mans etc. High maintenance car, carburettors and very long timing chain stretches easily, causing valve timing issues. Great fun to drive though, I used to drive mine hard and nothing could stay with me on a twisty road.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

It was great getting back in one after thirty-five years Paul - dynamically my Mazda MX5 GT184 is probably faster cross-country - but the Lotus has an infinitely greater sense of drama 😊

@bertram256

Жыл бұрын

I bought a twin cam special that had been standing for 20 years. I sorted out a lot of the basics like brakes, fluids, electrics and the cooling system , then I took it to the le mans classic this summer. It was very suited to the trip and didnt miss a beat in 600 odd miles.

i thought a 914 was low... this car is insane

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Yes - in 1985 my party trick was to drive UNDERNEATH car park exit barriers, then trigger the ENTRANCE barrier pressure pad to let all my buddies out of the entrance … 🤣👍

Looks a great example of àn all time classic. Only modern(ish) equivalent is the VX220, and even they are 16+ years old

I remember seeing one of these in a driveway around town. I knew it was something special by the neighborhood it resided in. At the time I thought it was ugly as hell. Obviously, I've matured (a bit) since then.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Mairubius - ugly? No, I won't have that. The 'Bread Van' rear step is challenging, I'll admit - but the rest of the lines are stunning. I may be prejudiced tho' ... 🤣👍

This is a lovely clean example. A Bargain, I think. Shame I don't have the 25 grand to spare, as my all-time favourite car.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

I agree Roger - I think the owner has been very realistic with pricing . At some point these will start to climb - £25k will seem like such a bargain. This one has the best door shut on a Europa I have ever seen; it’s been built well.

I miss TOP GEAR

1972 the year I was born good year

i remenber feeling confortable on one of this ,now i´m thinking i could improve my body shape

What's the asking price for this car?

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

£25k

I had an S2 with a Mazda rotary engine. Great car to drive. Horrible car to crash.

You don't mention how big or how small you need to be to actually get in one. I am 6ft 3 inch tall and doubt I could actually get in yet alone drive it. I did notice while you were driving your knees were almost touching the underside of the dash you painted all the superlatives but I'm afraid you didn't mention any of these shortcomings. I'd love to buy one but I know I wouldn't fit in it.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

11 ай бұрын

Like any race car Barry, in my experience, if you are determined enough, you will squeeze yourself in. I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been, (age 🤣🥲), 92 KG, 5’ 11’ - I can get into the Classic Formula Ford, (tiny), and I can get into the Europa - once in its exceptionally comfortable. If you are 6’ 3” and scrawny, you might get away with it. It’s a hell of a thing 👊🏻

Friend of mine had one, a Jim Clarke memorial one, the Lotus badges were black. He wrote it off one rainy night. Video really doesn't convey how ridiculously low those things are. Visibility in traffic is almost non existent.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Better than the Reno’ ones - that’s what that little pencil slim window is about … re: height, you are right; I never once paid to LEAVE a car park … 👍 x

I wanted to by the same car in 1978 but at 6'4" couldn't even get one leg into the driver's seat.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Jim, I've just bought, on behalf of a sponsor, an Alfa 4C. I realised, it's got exactly the same charm as the Lotus had; bonkers, no compromise - almost Stalinist approach to driving. Love it

@Jim-hu6ou

Жыл бұрын

@@TheFabulousTrackPack I'm sure. I was so upset that I didn't fit and after all the years still regret it.

When Car and Driver tested one they pointed out that the cars profile was so low that trucks couldn't see it on the street. Great reputation as one of the least reliable and least practical sports cars ever.

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

Caribman, I’m guessing you’ve never owned one? Most road cars these days are like trucks, because the people are obese, and it wasn’t supposed to be ‘practical’ - it was supposed to be fast. Which it was. I’m a racer. To me, these are magnificent 👍

Yes a car and a half , tried one years ago but it had rose jointed suspension and one had to glue ones teeth in , the Eclat was the same . I think the Excel with the Toyota parts was a good every day driver , with Five seats , yes had a seat , frame made to sit on the tunnel in the rear for my small daughter , with people asking how do you get 5 bodies in there , like crackers in a box . Fun days . Magic all the way to the next corner .

@TheFabulousTrackPack

Жыл бұрын

My dream car is an SV Miura. But that is £1.25m plus. This is the same out and out GT race car configuration - for the price of a Miura door handle. Superb thing.

'Drives straight' ... no it doesn't, re-centre that steering wheel!

@TheFabulousTrackPack

11 ай бұрын

Listen to the whole thing - we did, but where the wheel was set had no bearing on the car’s geometry and squareness … dynamically it was like an arrow 😊👍